Living in the UK
Why live in the UK?
Is the UK the 51st state of America? It may be English speaking and influential in the global arena but that's where the similarity ends. The UK is an island, fiercely independent, yet entirely European in its depth of history and unwillingness to dilute its culture.
Whether you decide to live in London, Edinburgh or Cardiff, their history and character will make themselves known to you. They've embraced globalisation like the rest of the West, but let yourself wander beyond the ubiquitous coffee-shops and you could find yourself: in a churchyard; on the threshold of an inn; following a terrace of houses down to the sea.
Important as its heritage may be, the UK is not the 'Olde Worlde' depicted in tourist brochures. It is a dynamic and ambitious country whose major cities are served by an excellent infrastructure. This may be in stark contrast to 'England’s green and pleasant land', but the UK does contemporary living with a confidence and panache few can match: fashion, fine dining, clubbing, entertainment, shopping - the UK is unique.
Medical
You can access the UK's National Health Service (NHS) in a number of ways. Here we provide an overview of the main services available to help you get the treatment you need.
Your General Practitioner provides general medical advice and treatment, prescriptions, referral to a specialist or a hospital, immunisations and tests. To register with a surgery, talk to the receptionist.
Pharmacists, or chemists as they are often called, are experts on medicines. They will prepare prescriptions for you as issued by your doctor. Pharmacists can also give advice on treatments that can be bought over the counter.
NHS walk-in centres offer confidential advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses. Staffed by experienced nurses, they are open seven days a week, from early until late, and you do not need an appointment.
If you are seriously ill and need emergency care, you can go straight to an Accident and Emergency (A & E) Department at a hospital near you. Alternatively, you can call 999 for an emergency ambulance.
To find GP surgeries, opticians, dental practices, chemists/pharmacies, NHS Walk-in Centres and hospitals in your area, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit the NHS website.
Bank Accounts
There are two types of bank account for managing everyday money: a basic bank account and a current account. Banks also offer a range of accounts designed for medium or longer-term savings. Savings or 'term' accounts usually pay more interest than basic and current accounts.
A typical current account will offer:
- A cheque book
- A cheque guarantee card - making cheques more widely acceptable
- A debit card - some allow payments without checking your account
- Direct debits - automatic bill payments direct from your account
- Standing orders - regular set payments from your account to someone of your choice
- Bankers' automated clearing service (BACS) - the facility to accept payments directly into your account, or for you to make one-off payments to someone else
- Overdraft facility - the bank may allow you to go overdrawn up to a certain amount. You need to arrange this in advance and charges apply
Some current accounts pay interest on money you leave in the account, but the rate is usually low.
Basic bank accounts differ in that they don't provide a cheque book and there is no overdraft facility. Banks also offer a wide range of savings accounts. The main differences between them are how quickly you can get at your money, the minimum amount required to keep the account open and the type and rate of interest rate paid.
Finding a Property
Rented accommodation is available from three main providers: private landlords, local councils and housing associations. Private landlords will normally rent their property at the market rate, with their right to increase the rent dependent on the type of tenancy. Make sure you get a tenancy agreement and read it carefully before committing to it.
A private landlord will normally ask for a deposit. You should make sure that the condition of the property and any items of furniture are recorded in an inventory. You should also check that the tenancy agreement states: how much the deposit is and who holds it; when money can be deducted from the deposit (for unpaid rent or damage to property); when you will get the deposit back.
You can contact your local council to see if they have a list of accredited landlords in your area. You can also search for a letting agent who is registered with the government backed National Approved Letting Scheme.
Travel
If you hold a valid international driver's licence you can drive for up to 12 months in the UK. If you plan to stay in the UK for longer than 12 months it is recommended that you obtain a UK licence. The application form is called a D100 and is available at any Post Office.
All of the UK drives on the left and a car will get you pretty much anywhere in the UK. Parking can be a problem in large cities and can be very expensive, especially in London. Petrol is heavily taxed and therefore expensive.
Traffic can be very heavy, especially during 'rush hour', when commuters are on their way to and from work. To counteract this rush hour phenomenon, many cities operate a 'Park and Ride' scheme, with car parks on the edge of the city and cheap buses into the city centre. Many cities and large towns offer cheap travel cards for use on the buses.
Coaches are a popular low cost option for longer distance travel in Britain. Though cheaper than rail travel it tends to be slower and less frequent. The largest coach companies in the UK are National Express, CityLink and Megabus.
The UK has an extensive, privatised train network that covers most of the country. As a general rule, tickets should be booked as early as possible to get the best deal. They can, however, be bought on the spot, from any station, for travel to and from anywhere on the network.
The best place to find train times and fares and to book in advance is the National Rail Website. Alternatively call 08457 484950 from anywhere in the UK.
London has one of the most comprehensive public transport systems in the world. Despite Londoners constant grumbling about unreliability, the Tube, Docklands Light Railway, Tramlink and London Overground are far more reliable than locals would have you believe. Indeed, nearly a third of households do not feel the need to own a car.
Transport for London (TFL) is a government organisation responsible for all public transport. Visit their website. It contains maps plus an excellent journey planner. They also offer a 24-hour travel information line with route advice and up to the minute information on services.
Oyster is an electronic smart card run by TFL which enables travellers to switch between modes of transport on one ticket. You can 'charge up' an Oyster card with electronic funds. This cash is then deducted according to where you travel. The cost of a single trip using the Oyster card is less than buying a single ticket outright.
